Richard Nerysoo was given the nod by the Kakfwi government to take the reins of the controversial board of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC).

Nerysoo, president of Trailbreaker Energy Services Inc., is a former NWT premier and past president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

The previous board was fired by Joe Handley, minister responsible for the power corporation, when they refused to table a proposal on a one rate billing structure for the NTPC.

Following news of the appointment, Nerysoo said he was a bit humbled by the appointment, but looks forward to the challenge ahead.

"I'm pleased with it, but you always have reservations about expectations," Nerysoo said.

He said David Krutko, MLA for Mackenzie Delta and other government officials had asked that Nerysoo submit his name to the board for consideration. Faced with replacing the board, Nerysoo agrees the position is a political hot potato, but feels common ground can be found to keep the corporation separate from politics.

"There will always be political issues that need to be vetted or, at the very least, there has to be some discussion with the minister responsible and cabinet, that when a decision has political implications, that there is some rational basis for responding to public concern," Nerysoo said. "The corporation is not a political organization -- it's a business."

He said the minister and cabinet has assured that the corp needs some forward -thinking direction and

"They do realize that the corporation has to be more than just turning the lights on and generating electricity for the single consumer to support the power corporation," he said. "There has to be some new investment initiatives and new business ventures that can spread that cost to a wider range of consumers and customers."

Nerysoo said the direction from the previous board had led to some great innovations to wean the territory off the diesel fuel supply.

"You have to give credit to the past board and the previous chair for that type of thinking," Nerysoo said. "They had some real vision in developing new technology and it's important that we recognize the past board for that."

The board consists of vice-chair Peter Allen from Yellowknife, Louis Sebert, from Fort Smith, Peter Guther from Norman Wells, Ray Woods from Calgary and Marion Lavigne from Yellowknife.

Nerysoo knows all the new board members and feel they'll make a good mix.

"I think it's a good cross section of people."